Nike Tennis Camp at University of Illinois

Average Rating 4.29 / 5 Stars

Improve your game and have serious funat Nike Tennis Camps

The University of Illinois Tennis Camp is among the top junior tennis camps in the Midwest. Join Fighting Illini Women's Coach, Evan Clark for an unforgettable Nike summer tennis camp experience in Champagne-Urbana!

This junior tennis camp in IL offers overnight and day tennis camp options for boys and girls, ages 9-18, of all ability levels. Campers will work hard, make new friends and have a lot of fun.

Highlights Include

Instruction from Fighting Illini Head Women's Coach, Evan Clark, and his expert staff

Camp Coaches

Camp Director Evan Clark

In June of 2016, Evan Clark was named head coach of the Illinois women's tennis team. Clark served as the program's interim coach throughout the 2015-16 season and had been with the Fighting Illini since December 2014 in an assistant role.

"I am extremely grateful to Josh Whitman and search committee chair Ryan Squire for allowing me this opportunity and trusting me to lead the Fighting Illini women's tennis program moving forward," Clark said. "We will continue to work hard to develop our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in all aspects of their life. We all understand that Illinois is a very special place and I am excited to build a program here of which everyone can be proud. I look forward to taking the progress that was made last year and building the program into a national contender annually."

During the 2015-16 campaign, Clark oversaw the Fighting Illini turn in their most productive season since 2012. The team posted a 15-9 overall record that included an 8-3 reading in Big Ten action for fourth place and advancement to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals. Illinois turned in a collective 41-8 record on the doubles courts across the dual season under the interim guidance of Clark.

In the two seasons that Clark has been with the Illini program, the teams have compiled an overall dual record of 29-19, including a 14-8 mark in Big Ten action. With Clark on the staff, the Illini also have turned in a seven-match winning streak during back-to-back seasons for just the fourth time in program history.

"Evan provided outstanding leadership for our program this past season, and we are excited to transition him to the permanent position of head women's tennis coach," Whitman said. "He has done a tremendous coaching job with a young roster, setting the stage for more success in the years to come. Evan has an aggressive vision for the program and is the right person to be leading Fighting Illini women's tennis in its pursuit of championships."

Clark and the University of Illinois have inked a four-year agreement, keeping the Liberty, Missouri, native with the Orange and Blue through the 2020 season. Officially at the helm of the program, Clark marks the eighth head coach in Illinois women's tennis program history.

Prior to Illinois, Clark served as the head coach of the UNC Wilmington women's team for two seasons and helped the Seahawks to the program's first Colonial Athletic Association conference championship. Clark was named the CAA's Coach of the Year and had players named both the CAA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Under the direction of Clark, UNCW posted a combined record of 31-11.

The University of Missouri - Kansas City graduate has also spent time with the Maryland men's team, Penn State women's team and UMKC women's team after earning his degree in 2006.

With a perfect 31-0 record, Clark took home the 2002 Missouri High School 4A State Singles Championship and was voted the Kansas City Star Tennis Male Athlete of the Year. He went on to be named First-Team All-Mid-Continent Conference following his collegiate debut season. Clark served as captain of the UM-Kansas City men's tennis team from 2002-04. During the 2004-05 season, Clark wrapped up his collegiate career as a member of the Arkansas men's tennis program before returning to UMKC to earn his degree in psychology.

Accompanying Clark off the courts is his wife, Katelynn, as well as their son, Tripp and daughter, Harper.

2018 Camp Dates and Offerings

Camp Programs

All sessions are open to players of all abilities unless otherwise noted. Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by the staff so that their own tennis instruction needs can be addressed throughout the week.

All Skills Program

The All Skills program is designed for tennis players of any skill level and background. Campers will learn fundamentals and improve upon their game.

Tournament Training Program

The tournament training program is geared towards tournament level and ranked players looking to improve their tournament results, learn winning strategies and work on mental toughness.

High School Session

The high school program is provided for players ages 13-18 currently on their high school team and wanting to move up the ladder or those planning on making the high school team.

Dorms

2018: Overnight Campers will stay on campus at the Snyder Residence Hall and eat in the dining facilities. Campers will sleep 2 per room (no triples available) and are assigned by age, gender and roommate requests.

Evening Activities

Evening activities may include Movie night, Tournament Night, and Swimming.

Weekend Stayovers

There are no weekend stayovers offered at this location.

Travel

The University of Illinois is within three hours driving distance from Chicago or St. Louis and is also accessible by air. The O’Hare & Midway bus service provides transportation between major Chicago airports and the University of Illinois campus.

Nike Tennis Camp does not provide any transportation to/from camp from airport, train stations or bus depots. If you fly into camp, we recommend that you fly directly to the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, which enjoys daily jet service from Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and St. Louis and schedule a public shuttle from the airport to camp. For info on shuttles, visit the airport’s ground transportation website at http://www.flypia.com/parking.php .

If you have a camper arriving by air and is deemed an “unaccompanied minor” by the airlines and must be met by a camp staff or shuttle company employee, there may be a fee that needs to be paid in advance of camp. You will still have to arrange transportation to/from camp. Please call 1-800-645-3226 two weeks prior to camp to provide camper’s flight and shuttle information.

Rain Plan

In the case of rain we have indoor courts available for use as needed, and we will also cross train.

Registration Packet

A detailed camper registration packet containing check in location, health/release forms, emergency contact info, and a list of things to bring will be emailed to all registered campers in the Spring. Our health and release forms do not require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.

Camp Reviews

Overall Average Rating 4.29 / 5 Stars

4/5.

It was a lot of fun

July 24, 2017: It was a lot of fun. But, she thinks more drills that fine tune skills is needed. We thought there would be more individual feedback for improving skills. So, more individual feedback for improvement is needed.
Liked the team competition. The food was good. Like meeting new friends.

— Gloria H. Parent

4/5.

Watched the Pro Circuit Tournament

July 25, 2017: Watching the Pro Circuit Tournament was exciting because I saw the level of tennis I want to reach for college.

— Andrew M. Camper

5/5.

Loved the coaches

Thoroughly enjoyed it

July 26, 2017: My son's first overnight, away from home camp and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt comfortable as a parent because any safety questions I had were clearly addressed in the camp info, and the camp was well organized. And what a great location! He was able to get a taste of the University experience.

— Stacey A. Parent

5/5.

Wants to return next year

August 1, 2017: My son really enjoyed the camp and definiltey wants to return next year.

— Kinnari S. Parent

5/5.

Different experience than other location

July 26, 2017: This is our second Nike Tennis camp, completely different from last year in Sedona at a resort with 15 campers. So, I know I'm not comparing apples to apples. :) All our kids had a great time, and we appreciated the coaches enthusiasm and efforts to make the entire week fun for all. But I do think there could have been more individual help with skill training or even tournament training. Perhaps if there were more coaches or less games that didn't involve tennis. Perhaps some serving training or strategy around tournament play if they needed to rest their feet. I don't think any of my kids felt like their skills or insights improved, other than from just basic time on court.
But overall, I appreciate the quality of excellence in standards that Nike keeps. One son went to a Nike Lacrosse camp this summer and loved it. We will likely look for another tennis camp again next summer, closer to home in Denver.

— Sonya D. Parent

5/5.

Made lots of friends

August 2, 2017: Made lots of friends, food was good, dorms were good, coaching staff was nice

— Kristen A. Parent

5/5.

"blown away" by how fun his experience was

July 30, 2015: My 9 year old son, Jack, was "blown away" by how fun his experience was. He had just turned 9 and was away from home for the first time being an overnight camper. The staff did an amazing job chaperoning Jack and had great non-tennis activities to make his experience even more fun. Jack greatly improved his tennis game, but most importantly he advanced himself socially.

— Victor H. Parent

5/5.

very nice staff

July 30, 2015: The staff were very nice and considerate to the campers.

— Chris V. Parent

5/5.

My son loved the Nike tennis camp

July 25, 2015: My son loved the Nike tennis camp. He can't wait to go again next year and my other sons also want to attend. One suggestion on the website for the University of Illinois camp is to put specific information about when and where to pick up the camper. We signed up late and didn't receive the packet, so there was nowhere for me to find the information needed up pick up. I quick and easy change to the website is all that's needed. Thank you.

— Karol M. Parent

5/5.

This camp was the BEST!

July 25, 2015: This camp was the BEST! U of I's tennis facility was top notch, but the best part were all the coaches. So much fun!!!

— Claire S. Camper

5/5.

learned a lot

7/24/2015 - Roberta made great friends and learned a lot.

— Bridget S. Parent

5/5.

wonderful experience

7/23/2015 - Wonderful experience and I can't wait to do it again!

— Maureen M. Camper

5/5.

better skill groupings

7/10/2015 - I wish I would have been paired more by ability. I would prefer to be with kids my level or better. The rest was good!

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